Bill Text: IL HR0954 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC) on the momentous occasion of its 100th anniversary. Commends its staff, board, and delegates for a century of unwavering advocacy. Extends deep gratitude for its tireless service to the veteran community of Lake County.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-05-30 - Resolution Adopted [HR0954 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR0954-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate the Veterans Assistance
Commission of Lake County (VACLC) on 100 years of dedicated
service to local veterans and their families, having been
founded on its traditionally acknowledged opening date of May
27, 1926; and
WHEREAS, The VACLC was established to serve as the central
service office for all veterans and their families residing
within Lake County; and
WHEREAS, The foundational mission of the VACLC is "to
promote the welfare of honorably discharged Veterans of
military service through maximizing all possible benefits
through effective and dynamic advocacy and by serving as a
central service office for all Veterans residing in the county
of Lake"; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its century of operation, the VACLC
has faithfully served veterans from all eras and conflicts,
including heroes of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam,
Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and more; and

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WHEREAS, Under the leadership of its professional staff,
including the superintendent, assistant superintendent,
executive assistant, senior veteran service officers, veteran
service officers in charge, veteran service officers, and
administrative assistants, the VACLC has dynamic oversight,
with the superintendent managing the organization and an
executive board of nine local veteran leaders performing
oversight for short-term and long-term operations; and
WHEREAS, The VACLC's general membership is uniquely
composed of dedicated veteran delegates and alternates from
diverse local veteran service organizations, including
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion (AML),
Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Veterans (AMVETS),
and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), who meet
quarterly to coordinate legislative advocacy, representation,
budgeting, and staffing; and
WHEREAS, The VACLC offers comprehensive, expert, and
entirely pro bono advocacy and assistance to ensure that
veterans and their families are never charged a fee for vital
services, including disability compensation claims, pensions,
burial benefits, and survivor's benefits; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Andrew Tangen, a licensed
attorney, provides representation for wrongfully adjudicated

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claims in higher appellate courts, such as the Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit; and
WHEREAS, The VACLC actively partners with Lake County
government and local townships to provide life-changing
emergency financial assistance for utilities, mortgage
payments, and emergency shelter while also overseeing a
not-for-profit fund fueled by generous donations to secure
adaptive vehicles, execute specific home repairs, and foster
community partnerships; and
WHEREAS, Following critical modernization and strategic
turning points initiated in 2017 and 2019, a new generation of
veteran service officers joined the team, successfully
implementing sweeping updates to traditional claims processes
and positioning the VACLC as a modern, forward-looking beacon
of advocacy; and
WHEREAS, To ensure that the solemnity and remembrance of
Memorial Day remain entirely undiminished, the VACLC will host
its formal 100th-anniversary celebration on June 27, 2026;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

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we congratulate the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake
County (VACLC) on the momentous occasion of its 100th
anniversary, commend its staff, board, and delegates for a
century of unwavering advocacy, and extend our deepest
gratitude for its tireless service to the veteran community of
Lake County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the superintendent and executive board of the
VACLC as symbol of our esteem and respect.